David Popper Program Notes and Sheet Music

David Popper was a Bohemian cellist and composer. He was born in Prague on June 16, 1843, and died in Baden bei Wien, Austria, on August 7, 1913. He was a child prodigy, and began studying the cello at the age of six. He quickly became one of the most celebrated cellists of his time, and toured extensively throughout Europe and America. He was also a prolific composer, and wrote over 70 works for cello, including four concertos, a number of chamber pieces, and a large number of etudes and studies. His music is technically demanding, and is often used to test the skills of young cellists.

Popper was a highly influential figure in the world of cello playing. He was a founding member of the Hellmesberger Quartet, and his students included some of the most famous cellists of the 20th century, such as Pablo Casals and Gregor Piatigorsky. He was also a gifted teacher, and his teaching methods are still used by cellists today.

Popper was a complex and contradictory figure. He was a brilliant musician, but he was also a demanding and often difficult teacher. He was a passionate advocate for the cello, but he was also a fiercely private man who shunned publicity. Despite his flaws, Popper was a towering figure in the world of cello playing, and his music continues to be enjoyed by cellists around the world.